when you started out, what did you guys do about tools? ive got a lot of stuff, but its mostly cheap stuff that breaks all the time - which wouldnt work when im in the field full time

snap on has some honda/toyota apprentice sets that are way too expensive. so im thinking of picking up a quality brand name 400 piece set for a couple hundred bucks

smarter to buy piece by piece or a full kit?

thanks for the ideas

 

Do the math:

Add up the cost of the all the pieces if you bought them individually. How much would you save if you bought the whole kit?

You could take out a loan if the loan + interest costs less than the difference between buying them separately vs the kit.

Cheers,
Sean

 

I started out with Autozone tools, bought the ones that I needed.

Then when I went to school they supplied us with a NAPA tool set that was way overpriced.

Before I started working I went to SEARS to buy a bunch of craftsman tools that I thought I would need and a toolbox.

I combined all the tools that I bought to make one big set. Then whenever a tool would break, I replaced it with a Snap On or Matco tool. So far, I've replaced 1/3 of my tools I bought before Snap On and Matco showed up.

Occassionally I would buy full sets of tools from the truck, and pass on the older ones to the house collection.

Buying a set is better, but there's still going to be some tools that you would have to pick up individually. It's a never-ending ordeal.

What car brand do you work on, by the way?

 

If you're on a budget, I would buy a big set from Sears. Use the sockets and wrenches from Sears, Ratchets from Snap-On(they don't break and slip as much), and air tools from IR.

 

If your currently attending a college for automotive schooling, They should have a tool dealer rep. like snap-on that offer 50% discount for students. It would cost you same the if you buy a craftsman tool or less. Snap-on apprentic set are dirt cheap. A friend of mind got his for $1000.00 with a value of $3500.00 and purchased a use craftsman box for $25.00.

Anyways, if you plan on working for a dealer like Toyota or Honda. They have an intership program for guys like you. However, it's really hard to get in to the program. They don't want guys that are a joke. One down fall, They can kick out a student out of the program at any given time either by the dealer or by school.

Well Honda's program is called Honda Pact or the Pact Program and the Totota is T-Ten program. The Toyota Program gives you $2000.00 for your tools with a contract of 4yrs before the tools becomes fully yours. And, some Toyota dealer will pay for 50% up to 100% for your schooling and books just depends on your contract with the dealer.

Honda on the other hand, only pays 50% of your schooling if that withou the $2000.00 for tools. The Honda program is the hardess one to get into.
most of the student that do get in won't come back for the 2nd term.

If you want info. on any of this programs I can point to the right direction.

I'm also a:
Wyoming Tech grad.
Hond Pact grad.
ASE Master certified
ASE L1 certified
Gold Level Honda certified
Phase2 emmission certified
9 years in the game now

worked for Infiniti of Seattel, Acura of Seattle, Burien Honda, and now at an independ import shop.

 

i have all snapon and craftsman but dont need the snapon i just like having them. i know lots of people with SK good tools very afordable

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by integra6650 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> SK good tools very afordable</TD></TR></TABLE>

SK tools are not bad. some of mac's tools are maked by SK.

 

The apprentice sets are not a very good deal. Just get a cheap basic set to start and buy tools as they go on sale from Mac or Snap On.

I have replaced all of my non-Snap On tools with Snap On. I had to buy some cheap ones to start (Craftsman etc etc), but I am glad they are gone now. To do this, I had to really run up my account with Snap On every once in a while. Luckily, here in Ontario, Canada, while you are an apprentice, you can deduct the expense of your tools and box on your taxes. I wrote off over $30,000 that way

 

id really like to get into toyota, or honda as a second choice. this is going to be my career for a good part of my life so im not fooling around.

i get a 20% discount on snap on but its still insanely expensive. and there isnt anything special about the apprentice sets

i guess i'll wait till i have i have a job lined up, and ask the dealer what can be done. (3 more months of school)

im leaning toward buying indivdual parts from sears, mainly because i probably wont be needing imperial tools, which makes up half a tool set. i guess i'll price them out in the next few weeks

im in toronto, canada btw
thanks for the help.

 

If you live in Ontario, make sure you are a REGISTERED apprentice before you start buying tools. You have to be registered to make the deduction on your taxes. You can usually end up getting back ALL of the income taxes you paid that year if you buy enough tools.